I have searched (but not found) a general use statement for maps/images posted here in the forums.

Is there a usage policy (CC, copyright, personal use only, etc) that applies if none is stated by the author?

-Rob A>

pyrandon

08-23-2007, 02:34 PM

Hmm..Good question. I always assumed all postings were available for personal (non-commercial) work only, but I guess I am not sure if that is legally the case.

Gamerprinter

08-23-2007, 05:52 PM

Except for my tutorials, which I first post on my newsletters, before posting them here, are for all intents under my copyright protection, however, you are free to share them as long as content remains unaltered.

Any objects I create here specifically however, I consider public domain or open source. This may not apply to any others work, I don't know this site's policy regarding maps, map objects created for viewing on this site.

If anyone needs my compass rose, for example, after the contest, you are free to use it as you see fit - no problem with me, I claim no copyright.

Again, Arcana might have a different ruling on this - I'm just saying my work here is public domain

terrainmonkey

08-23-2007, 07:35 PM

i'm of the opinion that once i put something up here, it's free to use for everyone who wants to. however, if i should see a map or design i use in a game supplement i have to buy? well, gents, the gloves come off if i don't at least get proper credit for it. i can only assume that everyone here has enough honor to use anything on here for personal useage, and that's fine. but when money and copyright infringment gets into the mix, it gets nasty.

Publius

09-01-2007, 12:34 PM

Yeah, non-commercial use is great, I'd love to have folks use the stuff I post in their own games and whatnot. If you plan on placing something like that on a website, I'd think that attribution would be fine. I think that my Nova-Class Deckplans for Trek have been used in a half dozen or so Online games, and those are just the ones that I have been made aware of.

Commercial use is bad. For that, I'd guess that we could just have a sheet or form available for members who would like to request in a more formal way the work of others...

HellHound

09-02-2007, 09:29 AM

No republication is my rule.

You can use them personally, but cannot repost / republish them anywhere.

ravells

09-02-2007, 03:41 PM

The general legal rule is that if it is an original work, then the creator has copyright and it is up to her/him to give permission on reproduction to the extent they wish. I do not believe we have any specific rules here (e.g. if you post on the board, you agree that ownership of copyright belongs to X (I've seen this before and enforced too) - and nor should we, if I have anything to do with it).

For my part, if anyone is insane enough to want to use any of my stuff, please pm me.

ravs

Robbie

09-03-2007, 06:35 PM

I don't really have any control over use and don't have the capacity to protect any of my users BUT...I think the best bet would be for me to adjust the copyright notice at the bottom of the page to include the fact that all POSTED content is the property of the posters...There's some proper way to word it, and I'll make sure thats in there.

RobA

09-04-2007, 09:47 AM

I would suggest that anyone who does not endorse unrestricted reuse should add their terms and conditions in their footer and optionally watermark all images that you upload to the site.

-Rob A>

Robbie

09-04-2007, 10:22 AM

I have updated the footer copyright notice to reflect the websites general policy on use of posted content. Thats really all the protection that I can offer.

RobA

09-04-2007, 11:23 AM

I have updated the footer copyright notice to reflect the websites general policy on use of posted content. Thats really all the protection that I can offer.

Thats great. (I'm not trying to be a pest by asking this in the first place, I was just curious, as I tend to be a re-user of art work if allowed).

I'm not sure if the forum software supports it, but over at Deviant Art and Flickr you can select the type of license when uploading images. somethings like that might be good, especially if the default could be stored in your profile.

Thanks for looking into this
-Rob A>

torstan

09-04-2007, 11:49 AM

In the meantime perhaps a sticky thread in which people can post exceptions to the sites overall copyright notice? That would allow for a one-stop shop for people to check if a user is happy to allow all their stuff to be used for personal use, for example.

For the record, if anyone ever wants to use my stuff for their own personal use, they are more than welcome. If they have time to send me a message saying whether it was useful, that's even better :)

ravells

09-05-2007, 04:48 AM

Wouldn't it be easier to just put copyright permission in your sig? That way people would have maximum flexibility.

Robbie

09-05-2007, 08:07 AM

Wouldn't it be easier to just put copyright permission in your sig? That way people would have maximum flexibility.

I think this is the best bet right here...if you're concerned, put it in your sig.